Leaving them overnight in the chicken tractor

[fair weather chicken]

first putting shrink wrap might not be such a good idea. try a piece of plywood. it provides better shade. we are 10 miles east of lake Michigan. yes it has been warm. never thought of chickens getting bit. don't think i ever saw them with bite marks. if you look up joel salatin there are good pictures of his tractors.

 

[chickenfeverforever]

I am hoping to have my meaties out at 3 weeks as well.

 

[drumstick diva]

With tractors set right on grass(no flooring) isn't there a big risk of predators digging under at night and devouring them? I'm thinking they won't all last till processing day.

 

[springbean]

Hi, I see that you are in Western WA as well. I just moved to Snohomish so the girls don't have their coop, currently, but I purchased a chicken tractor for them. Since I've been here I have taken them out each night to put them in separate cages in the garage, however, this is a lot of work, as you can imagine. I need to round them up (from the tractor) just before sundown. They are grown girls, older 7 years, and 3 years. I was thinking of leaving them out tonight to begin the transition of staying in the tractor full time until I have a coop made. The tractor is on grass, very heavy, well built, there is a spot where they can jump up and roost off the ground, and I will place a tarp over 3/4 of the tractor. I don't know if you have coyote in your area, but that is my concern. Have you heard of coyote digging their way under the tractor to take a chicken? I have a family or so! of coyote that meet just out in the woods beyond my house and you can hear their rallying call every night. The tractor will be close to my house, and I do have two German Shepherds, so I was thinking if there was a ruckus from the chickens, the dogs would let me know.

Can you shed some light as far as keeping chickens out in a tractor all night with coyote in the area?

Thank you!

Anyone else with familiarity to this situation, please, by all means, lend your thoughts.